THE Bruce Highway has reopened to both the north and south of Ingham, after flood waters left the town isolated yesterday.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads advised the highway to Cardwell has reopened at the Seymour River, and the road south to Townsville is clear at Andy's Roadhouse.
Various local roads in the Lower Herbert around Cordelia and Halifax remain cut, though are expected to clear by this evening.
It comes after Ingham was inundated with 298mm of rain falling in the 24 hours to 9am Wednesday, with 121mm of that falling in just one hour to 7am.
Hinchinbrook Mayor Ramon Jayo said the town received no rain overnight and the sun was shining today.
"Rivers are receding and have dropped below major flood classification in the Lower Herbert.
"We still have most of the roads in the Lower Herbert closed because of flooding but we're expecting those to clear by late this evening."
Cr Jayo said crews were inspecting roads and repairing any damage that had occurred.
He said a boil water notice is in place for Bemerside and Macknade residents after the water treatment plant at Macknade was struck by lightning.
While it was quickly repaired, council is waiting on water quality testing to ensure it is safe, with results expected today or early tomorrow.
Burdekin
The area from Burdekin to Mackay is expected to receive the heaviest rainfall today, as the low associated with ex-tropical cyclone Imogen continues to track south.
Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Livio Regano said the low was currently centered around Ayr.
"It's on the southern side of the low that most rain is occurring, so from Ayr to Mackay," Mr Regano said.
"It is not particularly heavy but is expected to pick up later this afternoon as thunderstorms become embedded in the low."
Mr Regano said isolated falls of up to 200mm were possible, with most areas more likely to receive 50-100mm.
In the 24 hours to 9am today, the Burdekin received the highest falls with 130mm recorded at the Ayr DIP and 142mm at Groper Creek.
Burdekin Shire Council is advising residents of Rita Island to stock up on essential supplies with the area likely to be cut off tonight.
Burdekin Mayor Lyn McLaughlin said readings at the Burdekin Falls Dam indicated the Anabranch Bridge could flood in the next 12-15 hours.
She urged residents to stock up on long-lasting food, medication and drinking water while they could still get out.
"Sunwater staff have been fantastic keeping us informed as Burdekin Falls Dam spillway levels reach certain heights, and we are now in the fortunate position of being able to prepare for a minor flooding event based on their advice," Cr McLaughlin said.
"It is unknown exactly if or when the Anabranch Bridge closure will occur, or how long it could remain closed, so I want to encourage any Rita Island residents to make their preparations now: prepare an emergency kit with food, drinking water and medication, or arrange to stay with friends and family elsewhere until the potential risk has passed."
Charters Towers
Meanwhile, the Macrossan Bridge on the Flinders Highway at Sellheim has remained open to traffic.
Charters Towers Regional Council yesterday sent an alert saying the bridge was expected to close for two days as the Burdekin River continued to rise.
However, Mayor Frank Beveridge said the river peaked about 2pm yesterday, with water lapping at the bridge for about seven hours.
He said the water had started to recede and was now about 5m under, so the road would remain open.
Cr Beveridge said the region had enjoyed constant rain.
"It has been raining for probably 10 days on and off with a couple of clear spots occasionally, so it is really good, soaking rain."
Outlook
But while the low is weakening, the rain is not over for North Queensland.
Mr Regano said a surge of strong south-easterly winds moving up the coast in the next few days would start to interact with the remains of the cyclone, with rain to pick up in North Queensland again.
"If you live in North Queensland it is not going to fine up, it will be raining for the next seven days, and at the weekend it will get worse again.
"It is hard to say but the really heavy falls are probably behind us now."
